LA Joins New HSBC SVNS as USA Stop

Los Angeles has been confirmed as one of the eight iconic destinations that comprise HSBC SVNS, World Rugby’s revamped and rebranded global celebration of rugby sevens, which launches December 2023. [Lead photo: Alex Ho @hoiho_photo]

For the first time since 2017, and only the second time in history, both the Men’s and Women’s USA Rugby Sevens will compete together on US soil. Returning to Dignity Health Sports Park, March 2-3, 2024, HSBC SVNS looks to elevate the rugby experience, four short years ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics.

“Our team is so excited to be a part of this reimagined series,” USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach Emilie Bydwell enthused. “The women’s game in particular has really gone from strength to strength since the Rio Olympics, and with this increase in investment, support and visibility we can’t wait to see where it goes next. With such a big year coming our way, we are excited to use the HSBC SVNS to grow and celebrate all the moments at each stage of the journey. One moment for us that will be incredibly special this year, is when we get to bring ‘The Highwomen’ home to LA and play in front of a home crowd in a World Rugby event for the first time in five years. Having the chance to engage with our fans, play in front of our families, and demonstrate our American brand of rugby in LA will definitely be a highlight, and something we are looking forward to.”

New format, gender parity

Each event is designed to enable the world’s top players to be at their best. Following consultation with players, fans, broadcasters and unions, the competition format has been revamped:

The top eight placed teams, based on cumulative series points, at the conclusion of Singapore SVNS will secure their opportunity to compete in the new ‘winner takes all’ Grand Final in Madrid, where the women’s and men’s SVNS champions will be crowned.

Madrid will also play host to the high stakes relegation play-off competition where teams ranked ninth to 12th will join the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. The top four placed teams of this play-off will secure their place on next year’s SVNS.

Under the new model, SVNS delivers gender parity with all seven rounds and the Grand Final featuring combined men’s and women’s competitions and equal participation fees, with a 70 percent uplift in World Rugby’s investment in participation fees as a commitment to sustainable growth.

Continuing 12 years of passionate support of rugby sevens, HSBC has been confirmed as SVNS title partner in a four-year deal. The renewal is a continuation of a hugely successful long-term partnership between HSBC and World Rugby that has created opportunities for players and fans all over the world. Alongside World Rugby, HSBC has been committed to the future of the women’s rugby and has helped 558,962 young people pick up a rugby ball through grassroots programs.

HSBC Group Chief Executive, Noel Quinn said: “Through many years of working closely with World Rugby to showcase and support the sport around the world, HSBC has become synonymous with the World Rugby Sevens. I’m particularly proud of the new opportunities that we have helped to open up by taking the sport into new markets, supporting the growth of the women’s game and giving tens of thousands of young people the chance to try rugby for the first time. I’m delighted that our hugely successful partnership with World Rugby will continue for years to come, and that HSBC will be able to help the sport reach even greater heights.”

SVNS uncovered – how it will work

* Equal share of the spotlight: Fully combined and equal men’s and women’s festivals with number of men’s teams reduced from 16 to 12, aligning with the Olympic competition model.

* Jeopardy right to the end: Annual ‘Grand Final’ will crown SVNS champions and offer pathway opportunity for four men’s and women’s teams to achieve promotion from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series

* Promotion and relegation reimagined: The teams ranked ninth to 12th will join the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in a high stakes relegation play-off competition which will see the top four teams secure their places in the next edition of SVNS.

* Opportunity for all: The four unsuccessful teams will go into regional competitions to qualify for the next Challenger Series, which comprises of 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing in the second level of international rugby sevens.

* Be there: HSBC SVNS 2024 gets underway in Dubai, UAE on 2-3 December, 2023 and serves as a crucial build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

For more information on SVNS destinations and tickets, visit SVNS.com.

2023-24 HBSC SVNS – Festival dates